Response to the undercurrent

[staceyJessie]

I have been incredibly saddened by the amount of complaining that has been going on throughout this forum. This cruise – and this cruise company - is the only one of its kind. Gregg, Kelli and Ro have given our community something we have NEVER had – a place to be free and love – with ALL of our friends and loved ones – gay and straight – adult or child. I know of no other place where this exists and believe me I have looked. I have been shocked by the amount of people complaining about the single gay men or straight people on board – these are OUR families and they came to support us. How long ago was it that our straight allies did not even exist privately, let alone support us publicly?

This company is run by people – just Kelli, Gregg and Ro. People who work hard day after day to create a safe and magical world for us. People who are paving the way for our children. I am thankful for them and for the entire experience. For seven days I was free to love my wife wherever I was – without explanation, my son was free to love us, to share his views, to be with other multi-racial families, to wear platforms without fear of consequence, to not have to explain his family. My daughter just loved playing and is learning from the beginning that there are many families like hers. I was blessed for seven days to meet straight families and friends who wanted to know us with an open heart and without judgment.

In this day and age, when gay marriage is being voted down, in a country where adoption is not allowed for us all, where we don’t always feel safe being out – to hold hands, to kiss in movies, to introduce our families as they truly are – shouldn’t we all just be thankful that there were enough of us to sell out this cruise ship? I am thankful for the few crowded moments (and I would like to point out that there were very few). It made me feel in my heart that this world is changing. That our families are growing and being supported. This vacation and experience is a gift to all of us on many levels.

Please – instead of complaining, I think we all need to be thankful that we have come so far as a community that we could fill a boat and bring our children to see the world together.

Peace.

[tofer610]

again...amen amen....u rock

[anneyates]

DITTO!!

Two years ago....today....because of Rfamily...Claire and I were married on the ship.....there can never be words that can explain a company that exists for the sake of humanity....and profit being an added bonus...

My mom went on the cruise this year...because I saw how much Michael Lee's parents loved it....and Today...on our 2nd wedding anniversary...she told us that RFamilyVacations will someday win an award for courage. Taking her on the cruise has brought our relationship to a new level...

The fact that you can sit....in a public place...hand in hand...arm in arm...comfortable in your skin...for 7 full days of bliss....somehow should overshadow the 20 minutes in line or choices of negativity.

Our feelings are our Choices......please realize that on the Hudson, there is house...with a few gay families.....that dreamed for all of us to have freedom ..and chartered a huge boat.....can we just all choose to get back to peace as Stacy so eloquently stated?

Anne

[2moms2kids]

Well said Anne and Staceyjessie.

If people are unhappy with some things on the cruise then choose not to go again. I challenge you to find a place of peace, love, laughter and overall nonjudgemental attitudes. If you do, maybe that would be a better place for you to vacation.

Have a happy, peaceful day everyone.

Melinda

[mamalicious]

R Family changed our lives forever. We joined the first group of cruisers to the Bahamas with our nine month old baby and nine year old son. We've been every year since. Our family has experienced incredible change and chaos during these last three years but R Family has remained a constant, wonderful bond that ties us to others like us and has given us lasting friends...people who have become our family forever.

The people who complain just don't get it.

[itsmewendee]

I've not been able to write in the forum the last few days, but have been able to read them but finally here I am. I can't say enough wonderful things about RFamily vacations and what the team has done for me, my partner and my family. The freedom, the love, the laughter, the priceless memories...so much we have gained. No where else could we have experienced such joy. We've met so many wonderful and giving people. I hope RFamily knows what a wonderful difference they have made in our lives. I only hope we can continue to go on at least one cruise a year forever!
If there is still any negative energy going around, all I can say is...."shhhhhhh"!
Enough :)
I love you RFamily for all your hard work and your thoughtfulness. You certainly continue to inspire and love and we are so thankful.
Till next time...
WenDee :)

[anneyates]

Wish I could build a virtual Peace Rug !! We have one here at home......and it WORKS...

http://www.peacerug.com/www

[KelliODonnell]

Thank you everyone for your beautiful and supportive posts. We are thrilled with how alaska went and trust me, we know it was not without a few hitches. But we love what we do and we love what it stands for. I promise you that our hearts, minds and souls are in this 100%. And we will work out the kinks.

I feel blessed to have launched this venture with Ro and Gregg. And the greatest reward is seeing you faces on board.

Best
Kelli

[PAPAJIM]

:D We also felt so blessed on the trip. The threads on this post are so articulate and express what we felt. Yes, there were a few rude people-few and far between. I was raised with manners, as most of us were. There were more acts of kindness on the ship-bonds made in an environment, nothing short of blessed. The weather was in our favor-except violant sea-which was only to keep us in check. :cool:
We made new friends on board, whom will be forever a part of our chosen family. Kim and her family and mine toasted ice tea at a reastraunt with our children, welcoming each other in to our "CHOSEN FAMILIES". These are memories solid and pure. I met Kim on this forum -I had to meet a person silly as me. OUr families hit it off so well, and it is like we knew each other forever-now that is destiny. None of this would have been possible without rfamily. We thank them from the bottom of our hearts for this experience, and all off those on board-our stories make a difference. Good Lord, where could I go on a vacation and do yoga with Susan Powter( who everyone knows I adore-shes fabulous!)
an broadway star ( fabo as well!) and people whom were marvelous the class-sorrounded by greatness and love in a loving envirnment. Kelli had a perpetual genuine smile on her face always. Rosie was amazing to meet-lovlier in person and gracious. To all of the rfamily and NCL staff-thanks for everything-you are amazing:D

[Jonbaton]

R Family has made a tremendous difference and has had a tremendous impact. My partner of 8 years and I had always said that we did not want kids, but after going on the last 2 cruises, we were so touched and moved by the love, that we are now saying "maybe down the road we'll adopt" and that is a HUGE step for us. Two years ago, I would have said that nothing would ever change our minds.

Most cruises are crowded, most cruises have lines, most cruises experience a few bumps, but NO cruise provides the love, comfort, and atmosphere that the R Family provides. After a normal cruise, people often talk about what a great time they had. After an R Family cruise, people talk about how their lives are changed for the better. That is an amazing power and gift.

Thank you Kelli, Gregg, Rosie, and the rest of the R Family team for this experience.

[2proudparents]

My husband and I are a straight couple with 2 adult gay children (we're 2 for 2!). We had the fortunate opportunity to go on the cruise last summer by ourselves and had the time of our lives. This summer we decided to take a wonderful family vacation on the Rosie cruise to Alaska with our 2 kids and our daughter's partner. Although the cruise was more crowded than last year, our family had an outstanding time on this trip. Our daughter and her partner were married Saturday evening on a cliff overlooking the water in Victoria, B.C. It was a bittersweet experience for us because during the ceremony we stood on Canadian soil looking over the water towards Washington State saddened that our country would not recognize our girls' marriage! But as a couple we will continue to work toward marriage equality and equal rights in the U.S. and in our state of Georgia!

This is our first post on the forum but we've been regular readers. We were a bit amazed with some people's reaction to the number of straight people on this year's cruise. I guess it really never occured to us that that would be an issue for some. As GLBTQ activists, our many gay and lesbian friends ALWAYS welcome straight allies. What better place is there to celebrate diversity and the love of family than on the Rosie cruise?

Thank you Jessie and Stacey for your kind words about straight allies. It was good seeing you at AtlantaPride and again on the cruise.

Thank you also to Kelli, Gregg and the entire RFamily group. You provide such a wonderful trip for all families. We had a SUPER time on this year's cruise.

[Denise's Sweetheart]

Anne Yates,
I have a nice picture of your Mom from the train ride if you want it. She was a very easy travel companion.
Hello to all from P&D

[beckpam]

Thank you! I couldn't have said it better myself. I have heard several people mention that this cruise didn't have the 'feeling' the last ones had? This was our first and I will tell you that the feeling to us was awesome. I couldn't of imagined it any better. Leaving the ship was sad for us. Thank you R Family for something so beautiful and awesome! We are saving madly to do another but it will probably be 2008 before we can afford it. Hoepfully another West Coast cruise so we don't have to travel too far. :)
Beck, Pam, Jesse & Taylor

[anneyates]

OH THANK YOU PAT!!

She has been really upset about me losing my photos....and this will make her day!

The photos she took from the train are just a blur....she has "put in her order" for Christmas....she really wants a new camera!

Did you do digital or regular?

OHHH...I forgot, you are close.

Do you want Claire to swing by and pick it up on Wednesday? Or if you guys want to come up before Saturday, come up for dinner one night.

Anne

[Denise's Sweetheart]

Hi Anne,
Mine are all digital, maybe Denise can help me burn a CD, then my sister can print them for me. I didn't realize all her train photos did not come out, I got a few good ones that should make her happy.
Thanks,
Pat